January 2015


CEO's Message

PDD Safety Standards, Regulations and Legislation

ACDS and its member organizations are committed to ensure the safety of people with disabilities through the many processes and policies already in place for organizations who are providing support to that community. ACDS' intent is to support and facilitate stakeholder conversations and engage with PDD Program Branch to fully inform best practice policy directions, provide information on potential impacts, and work toward balanced solutions that will achieve common goals. The implementation of the PDD Safety Standards Regulations, combined with concurrent and expected further changes to licensing requirements in some municipalities, has emerged as a complex web of multiple layers of requirements intended to ensure that people are safe in their homes.

 

ACDS commissioned a report by K.K. Biersdorff Consulting "PDD Safety Standards Regulation: Legislative Context and Impact on Albertans with Developmental Disabilities and Service Providers" to inform service providers and members of the potential impact of the new PDD Safety Standards and implementation of Standard 8 on April 1, 2015. This report is available on the ACDS website under the "Members Only" Section.

 

Balance needs to be found between safety regulations, community living and inclusion. Such balance takes place in the lives of most Albertans and should be true for people with disabilities who should have the right to choose where they live and still retain the supports that they need to be full participating citizens.

 

ACDS has also made known to PDD Branch the issues and concerns raised by service providers and self-advocates on the potential impact and unintended consequences of some safety standards, regulations and legislation which are emerging in some regions. ACDS Board representatives and myself have met with Tim Weinkauf from the PDD Program Branch to discuss our concerns and possible solutions. We are steadfast in our resolve that none of us want to take chances with the safety of individuals we support, and where possible and appropriate, we meet and even exceed the legislated requirements. But we also are resolved that we need to work together to find solutions that will not force people out of their homes. We know PDD feels the same way.

  • PDD has informed ACDS that processes are underway to ensure contracts with agencies will not be impacted if inspections have not been conducted prior to April 1, 2015. PDD and ACDS will be sending out formal information on this issue within the next month.
  • In the spirit of collaboration, our sector will be represented by ACDS on a provincial committee which includes Human Services, Municipal Affairs, Alberta Health and other partnering ministries or programs. This committee will work with other officials at the provincial and municipal levels on understanding the issues and coming up with reasonable and flexible solutions.

ACDS will continue to engage with PDD and the Human Services Ministry on this important topic and ensure our voices and concerns are heard. This includes meeting at the Provincial and local levels with PDD representatives, reviewing and discussing our research report and looking for ways to expand these conversations to a broader audience.

We will keep you informed on a regular basis and ask that you be patient as we work on solutions. In the meantime, please continue to forward your concerns and experiences to either myself (ann@acds.ca) or Tim Weinkauf at the PDD Program Branch (tim.weinkauf@gov.ab.ca) so that you can inform the solutions we want to collaborate on.

 

Ann Nicol,

CEO

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If you want to schedule time to talk to Ann or comment on something that is important to you, just send a message to acds@acds.ca
ACDS Notes

Membership Renewals
ACDS' membership year begins again on April 1, 2015 so please watch for your renewal notices in the latter half of February. As always, the notice will include an information update form. The data requested on this form details who ACDS represents and provides an industry profile; which can then be translated to adequately represent the industry.

This year, the form will be a little different. To streamline the information sent out by ACDS, you will be asked for contact information for training and workforce initiatives; who is best in your organization to receive this information and respond to the opportunities presented. Also, as a member-run organization with committees to move the work forward, you will also be asked to indicate the areas of interest for your organization and where ACDS may call on you and your peers for participation and input.

ACDS is Hiring!
The Alberta Council of Disability Services (ACDS) requires an Accreditation Coordinator to coordinate and plan all activities associated with accreditation site-surveys in specific regions of the province. In addition to coordinating the survey process, supporting service providers, assigning, and overseeing survey teams, a major responsibility includes reviewing and editing survey reports in accordance with set guidelines.

This position is provincial and will be based out of one of the major cities in Alberta. The right candidate will possess a degree/diploma in Disability Services or in a related human service field, and have experience in the field of community disability services, formerly known as community rehabilitation. We are looking for someone who is a critical thinker, works independently, produces quality work within allotted timelines, possesses good communication and interpersonal skills, and is technologically confident and competent, as computers are a critical component of the work environment. Experience with ACDS Creating Excellence Together Standards or another program/organizational evaluation system is an asset.

Please forward your resume to:
Alberta Council of Disability Services (ACDS)
# 19, 3220 -5 Avenue NE
Calgary, Alberta
T2A 5N1
Email: clova@acds.ca

The application deadline is February 13, 2015 or until the position is filled.
 
Download this notice as a PDF. Please help us find a great addition to our team by distributing this to your contacts.
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Whole People, Whole Lives
ACDS Spring Conference 2015
April 29 - May 1
Coast Plaza Hotel, Calgary

Pecha Kucha Event: 
We are looking for multiple presentations that will be 6:40 minutes in total (e.g., 20 slides 
at 20 seconds per slide, or a video tape). This will be an efficient way to capture and share 
some of the pilot projects that have been happening, and to learn about some of the 
technology acquisitions or new approaches that agencies have been using.

Pecha Kucha (Japanese: ペチャクチャ) is a presentation style in which 20 slides are shown for 20 seconds each (6 minutes and 40 seconds in total). The format, which keeps presentations concise and fast-paced, powers multiple-speaker events called PechaKucha Nights (PKNs).

In this issue we wanted to highlight how ACDS is using technology to connect and best serve our members.

We also want to hear how you're using technology in your organization. If there's a project, a success story, an application, product or tech strategy that you've found successful and valuable, please let us know - jamie@acds.ca. We'd love to discuss it with you and develop an article for an upcoming issue of the Umbrella.
The ACDS Community of Practice


The ACDS Community of Practice forum is online at http://www.acds.ca/community 

We gave it a soft launch in December and now it's ready for the masses!

Communities of practice are groups of people who share a concern or a passion for something they do and learn how to do it better as they interact regularly.- Etienne Wenger
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We've given the CoP four discussion areas to start. Click on each image to visit them.




The CoP provides our sector with a collaborative space to share and discuss:
  • Resources
  • Success stories
  • Pilot projects
  • Regional updates
  • Committee & working group updates
  • Breaking and interesting news
  • Training
  • Coordinating events, activities and communications strategies.
  • Leadership development
  • & More!
ACDS staff members will serve as facilitators and are available to assist you should you have concerns, questions or suggestions. To learn more, visit the Introduction to the CoP forum.
Communication, holding discussions, sharing best practices, success stories, etc, doesn't need to be
difficult.


The Community of Practice is your forum

We talk often about connecting with the media, families, your communities and elected representatives. But we can't forget about the importance of connecting with each other, within our sector.

The great work you do within your organizations deserves to be shared. What happens at the local and regional level should be shared so that we're all aware of what's happening in our province, in our sector.

The Community of Practice is an open and productive place to do so. So please create an account and join or start a discussion.
 
Creating an Account
When you visit the forum, at the top-right of the page you'll find a tab labelled "Log in or Sign up". Click on this and a drop-down menu will appear.
Enter an email address and click the button labelled "No, create an account now" 



This will redirect you to the registration page. Enter the name that will be displayed publicly on your postings and rest of the basic information. Once you click on "Sign up", you'll automatically receive a verification email. Once you click on the activation line, your account will be active. 

 



More on Communities
of Practice


 
The New cdsalberta.com


Mobile Friendly
From the 3" screen on your smartphone to the 25"+ monitor on your desktop, today's websites need to be usable on devices of any size. The new cdsalberta.com launched late last year with a new 'responsive theme', which adjusts the site's header's, columns and menu options to suit the screen size of whatever device you may be using.

Employer Forums
Your cdsalberta.com user account now also gives your organization access to the new employer forums. Presently, you'll find information on: 
  • Work by New Age Services in adapting the Professional Development Plan tool from the Workforce Classification System into their own staff evaluation forums.
  • The Canada-Alberta Job Grant
  • Job Descriptions

ACDS will help to facilitate discussions and post new and relevant content. However, as employers, the forum is yours to develop by posting information, discussion items and asking questions of other organizations on workforce and human resources matters.  

 

If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact Jody Amirault, ACDS Workforce Coordinator - jody@acds.ca 


Job Boards
The cdsalberta.com job boards have been updated to match the new PDD regions.

Posting can be set to remain on the page until the position is filled, or specify an end date for their automatic removal. Previous advertisements can also be reactivated, allowing you to create a standard position posting that can be made public as necessary.  
Do you have a social media strategy?

ACDS uses Twitter and Facebook on a daily basis to share information. As a benefit to members, we're able to help share the information you post online with larger audiences. We can connect with MLA's, municipal councillors, the media, families, self-advocates, the general public and organizations from around and outside Alberta. It gives us reach to talk about the work the ACDS staff and volunteers are doing, and to follow the disability sector outside of Alberta.

As an example, this past fall, we used Twitter, Facebook and a dedicated political affairs website, abilities.today, to survey candidates and post information on issues that are of high-priority to ACDS members. 

If you follow ACDS on YouTube, you'll find videos relating to CET accreditation, products such as the Safe Bathing and Showering Toolkit, questions and debate in the Alberta Legislature and pursuing careers in Disability Services. With more on the way. 

We're developing a new website which make it easier for us to provide news and information, and for ACDS departments to regulatory post content and updates. If you use a news reader such as Feedly or follow RSS feeds in Microsoft Outlook, you'll be able to subscribe to an ACDS news feed through the new site.

If you're on LinkedIn, you're probably connected to at least several other agency leaders, directors, managers and disability workers.. linkedIn is also home to numerous professional groups and discussions on disability services, best practices, news, research and seemingly any other profession or industry. Does your organization have a LinkedIn corporate page? It can be a great resource to spread organizational news and reach job seekers.

Flickr, the Yahoo owned photo sharing service, has expanded its free service within the past year, offering more storage space than you may be likely to ever use. Flickr slideshows can be embedded on webpages and easily shared on Twitter, Facebook, etc. Tagged pictures can easily be found by someone searching for an event, an agency, or topic.

Facebook is a strong tool to connect with families, self-advocates and the community-at-large. A Facebook page allows you to post news, photo galleries, discussion items, etc while maintaining control over what occurs and deleting inappropriate content if required.

Twitter is an excellent source of news and information. It's also a way to connect with individuals you might not otherwise be able to on a regular basis. From Ministers and Members of the Legislature, to reporters, columnists, and of course other organizations in Alberta or anywhere.

Do you have a social media strategy? Is your website providing visitors with the information that they're looking for? Do you have a staff member(s) who manages your digital presence?

If you have questions on any of the above, give ACDS' Communications Coordinator a call (403-250-9495 ext. 232) or email (jamie@acds.ca).
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11 Steps to a Successful Nonprofit Social Media Strategy
The Disaster will be Tweeted
Rise of the Personal Brand
Improving Your Nonprofit Organization's Content Marketing
The Tech Your Association Needs


ACDS Training & Development is revamping their Online Foundations Program  
 
We are currently piloting a consolidated version of the program that will enable learners to register for a full section at a time, allowing individuals to complete the online program at their own pace in 9 months, as it will reduce the starts and stops to  three.  This will also cut invoicing back from once per module to 3 times during the entire process of the training. We plan to operationalize this fully on April 1, 2015 with individuals having 3 months to complete a section.  Extensions for a limited period of time will be available at no extra cost.   
 
Your ability to individualize modules on request, will be facilitated on request.   
  
Section 1: Setting the Stage
Module 1: The Evolving Field of Community Disability Services
Module 2: Legislation and Human Rights Protection
Module 3: Values and Attitudes
Module 4: Roles and Responsibilities
Module 5: Definitions and Characteristics of Some Common Disabilities
 
Section 2: Getting the Basics
Module 6: Safety Issues
Module 7: Ergonomics for Safe Lifting and Transferring
Module 8: Adaptive Equipment
Module 9: Universal Precautions and Infection Control
Module 10: Personal Hygiene Support
Module 11: Mealtimes and Nutrition
 
Section 3: Being Professional
Module 12: Promoting Wellness
Module 13: Facilitating Growth and Skill Development
Module 14: Interpersonal Communication and  Module 15: Professional Communication Skills (combined online)
Module 16: Personal and Professional Competence
 
Additional Certification Information required:
External Module 17: First Aid/CPR:
External Module 18: Medication Administration
 
Look at Me
Samsung launches Look at Me app to help kids with autism
"New app is designed to help kids on the autism spectrum improve eye contact and learn to recognize facial expressions.

Look at Me is a new smartphone and tablet app designed to help children on the autism spectrum improve eye contact and recognize facial expressions while simultaneously encouraging social interactions. Developed in South Korea by a team of psychologists and psychiatrists, the free app is targeted at children aged 7 and up and is available for download on Google Play."
Toronto Star


The Political Scene

Budget 2015 Ministers Speaking Tour

Please attend a session if you are able. Click here to check on updates for "to be announced" locations.

Friday, Jan. 30

High Level 
Frank Oberle, Energy Minister 
High Level Chamber of Commerce 

11:30 a.m. - location to be determined

Friday, Jan. 30 

La Crete  

Energy Minister Frank Oberle 
La Crete Chamber of Commerce 

6:00 p.m. - location to be determined

Monday, Feb. 2  

Lethbridge  

Robin Campbell, President of Treasury Board and Minister of Finance 
Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce 

11:30 a.m. - Lethbridge Lodge, Anton's Restaurant, 320 Scenic Drive South, Lethbridge

Monday, Feb. 2  

Red Deer  

Frank Oberle, Energy Minister 
Red Deer Chamber of Commerce 

11:30 a.m. - Black Knight Inn, 2929-50 Ave. Red Deer
 
Wednesday, Feb. 4 

Cold Lake 
Robin Campbell, President of Treasury Board and Minister of Finance 
Cold Lake and Bonnyville Chamber of Commerce 

11:30 a.m. - Lakeland Inn, 5411-55 St., Cold Lake

  

Thursday, Feb. 5 

Edmonton 
Robin Campbell, President of Treasury Board and Minister of Finance 
Edmonton Glenora Rotary Club 

7:00 a.m. - Royal Glenora Club, 11160 River Valley Road, Edmonton

   
Thursday, Feb. 5 
Edmonton 
Robin Campbell, President of Treasury Board and Minister of Finance 
Edmonton Glenora Rotary Club 

7:00 a.m. - Royal Glenora Club, 11160 River Valley Road, Edmonton

  

Wednesday, Feb. 11 
Camrose 
Frank Oberle, Energy Minister 
Camrose Chamber of Commerce 

11:30 a.m. - Bailey Theatre, 5041-50 St., Camrose

  

Friday, Feb. 13 
Medicine Hat 
Robin Campbell, President of Treasury Board and Minister of Finance 
Medicine Hat Chamber of Commerce 

11:30 a.m. - Chinook Village, Terrace Room

  

Wednesday, Feb. 18 
Chestermere 
Robin Campbell, President of Treasury Board and Minister of Finance 
Chestermere Chamber of Commerce 

12:00 p.m. - location to be confirmed

  

Wednesday, Feb. 18 
Grande Prairie 
Frank Oberle, Energy Minister 
Growing the North Conference - Grande Prairie 

12:00 p.m. - ENTREC Centre at Evergreen Park, Grande Prairie

  

Friday, Feb. 27 
Grande Cache 
Robin Campbell, President of Treasury Board and Minister of Finance 

Grande Cache Chamber of Commerce 

5:00 p.m. - Metis Nation Hall, Grande Cache

An Early Election
It seems to be a near certainty that an election will be called this year, likely in April. We strongly ask that you continue to connect with your MLA, and connect your organizations and families with your elected representatives. The 2015/16 budget is being developed now and it's important that input from our sector be heard.

In the "members only" section of ACDS.ca, you'll find a spreadsheet that matches ACDS members with their provincial constituencies and MLAs. Please download and review it. If you notice any errors, or if your agency owns properties or delivers services in constituencies other than what is listed, please let us know by emailing jamie@acds.ca so that we can update our information.
 
Election Candidates
Not seeking re-election
Declared to date:
Raj Sherman, Edmonton-Meadowlark
Mary Anne Jablonski, Red-Deer North
Doug Griffiths, Battle River-Wainwright
Doug Horner, Spruce Grove-St. Albert
Fred Horne, Edmonton-Rutherford
Rob Anderson, Airdrie
Bridget Pastoor, Lethbridge East
Heather Forsyth, Calgary-Fish Creek
Donna Kennedy-Glans, Calgary-Varsity
Hector Goudreau - Central Peace-Notley
Kent Hehr - Calgary-Buffalo
Darshan Kang - Calgary-McCall

Seeking election/nominations
You can visit daveberta.ca for a regularly updated list of provincial candidates.

In the Legislature
The spring session of the legislature is scheduled to begin on March 15th and conclude on June 4th. 


When is Alberta Election 2015?
News, Links & Events

New housing standards for people with disabilities will do 'horrendous' damage, advocate warns

Provincial housing safety standards will hurt the people with disabilities they're supposed to protect, says an Edmonton non-profit group.

 

"The damage it will do to individual and families' lives is horrendous," said Marie Renaud, executive director of the LoSeCa Foundation, a non-profit group that supports people with disabilities.

 

"So people who can't afford to do that - they'll be forced to give people notice. We'll have people with disabilities getting evicted. We'll have landlords that are really not willing to rent to people with disabilities who have service providers."
 CBC News Edmonton
 
Apply to join Edmonton's Advisory Board on Services for Persons with Disabilities
The City of Edmonton is conducting its annual recruitment campaign, seeking citizens-at-large to join various agencies, boards and commissions.

This year, there are up to five vacancies on the Advisory Board for Persons with Disabilities.

Deadline to Apply:  Friday - February 6, 2015

Follow the links below for more information on the committee and the application process.

The Advisory Board on Services for Persons with Disabilities (ABSPD) is a resource group reporting directly to City Council on issues, needs and services related to persons with disabilities.

The board:
  • Recommends changes in City policy and practice to encourage inclusion and accessibility
  • Advises City Council, City departments and citizens on disability issues
  • Refers Edmontonians to organizations that will address their specific needs
  • Promotes accessible transit and parking
  • Consults on new construction and retrofitting
  • Stays informed about emerging trends in disability issues and adapt best practices to help increase public awareness and inclusion
  • Changes attitudes and stereotypes about people with disabilities
  • Positions Edmonton as a leader in diversity and inclusion
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City of Edmonton - Mayor's Award Nominations

 

Ewen Nelson Award for Self Advocacy
This award recognizes the contributions of individuals with a disability that have been a self-advocate in the development of services and supports for citizens with disabilities.

Award for Outstanding Service

This award recognizes individuals, organizations or businesses that provide accessible service to persons with disabilities.

 

Award for Universal Design in Architecture

These awards are given to a project team or architect whose designs or projects demonstrate creative sensitivity toward the accessibility of persons with disabilities.

 

Award for Employers

This award honours employers, businesses or organizations who have provided opportunity and support for employment or volunteer positions for one or more persons with disabilities.

 

The deadline for nominations is March 6th, 2015. Click here to visit Edmonton.ca for judging criteria and nomination forms.

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Congratulations Linda Maxwell!

Congratulations to Accredited Supports to the Community Executive Director, Linda Maxwell, on your upcoming retirement!

The Board and staff of ACDS thank you for your tireless commitment to Community Disability Services and ACDS. You will be missed!

 

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Community Futures Treaty 7 - Employment Symposium & Career Fair

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Caregiver stress a worrisome trend: mental health report 
At a time when growing numbers of Canadians are caring for elderly relatives, stress among caregivers is cause for concern, says the Mental Health Commission of Canada.
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Scotiabank Calgary Marathon 2015
The Scotiabank Calgary Marathon raised $1.3 million for 91 charities in 2014. ACDS Member, the DDRC (Developmental Disabilities Resource Centre of Calgary) is one of this year's featured charities!
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Made by Brad
Despite severe disabilities, Brad Fremmerlid has managed to start his own business using his incredible skills. Su-Ling Goh explains.
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Facebook post lands woman with Down Syndrome a job
Finding a job in today's labor market is no easy feat. Add to that a disability and the challenge is even greater. Enter social media and a women's networking group and the story has a happy ending for one young Ottawa woman. For five years, Laura Gulick has wanted a job that could keep the 25-year-old busy and earn her a little money.
 CTV News Ottawa
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Calgary Transit - "We are now 100% accessible" 

Our entire fleet of 1,100 buses has been transitioned to low-floor buses that allow a ramp to be lowered to make it easier for customers with mobility issues to board the bus.

 

Barry Lindeman is an advocate for people with disabilities and uses a wheelchair himself. He said it's a big step forward for Calgary Transit.

 

"Now you know, every route, every stop (you're) going to be able to get on," he said. "I think it's great...You know you can get everywhere from the Saddledome to COP."

Calgary Transit 

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Trio creates new Mind and Body publication for Canadian Down Syndrome Society
Mind and Body is a collaboration between Grieve, Tamme and MacDonald for the Canadian Down Syndrome Society (CDSS). The book tackles questions about relationships, sexual health, safety and growing up that people with Down syndrome and other developmental disabilities may have. The book was developed in consultation with various organizations and groups in the fields of sexual health and disabilities.
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Transportation service for medical appointments launches in Vulcan County
The door-to-door service is available to all Vulcan County residents for medical appointments to places including Vulcan, High River, Claresholm, Lethbridge, Strathmore and Calgary. Medical appointments include doctor, dentist, optometrist, mental health, medical procedures and treatments, and hospitalization.
Mental Health in the Workplace Seminar - February 24 
Margaret Trudeau - Keynote Speaker

A session presented by the Lacombe Action Group - visit action-group.ca to register 


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Gateway Association's 40th
Edmonton's Gateway Association celebrates their 40th anniversary on February 6th
 
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Human Services Webcasts

"The Employment First Webcast Series is an ongoing series to help Albertans understand the barriers, solutions and benefits to employing persons with disabilities."
Click to view the video from January's webcast with the Premier's Council on the Status of Persons with Disabilities.

Families and caregivers will have access to information, the latest research and other resources via webcasts on mental health, brain injury, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) and disabilities.


 
Collective Impact - Community Toolbox
"Implementing a collective impact approach in your community to make progress on important, complex issues? The Community Tool Box has tools to help.

.. information on why you might use the collective impact approach, what it is, when it is appropriate, how to implement such an approach, and who should be engaged."

Collective Impact
Collective Impact Insight
Training & Development Update

Seeking a Person to co-facilitate the Foundations in Community Disability Studies Tutor Orientation training.  
These are two day workshops that are facilitated about 2-3 times a year. Travel is involved.

We are looking for someone with strong background in Adult Education in the Workplace, some knowledge of disability Studies, and a Master's in Education. Please send your letter of interest and your resume to doreen@acds.ca.
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Customized Employment with Michael Callahan
Customized Employment is a strategy that provides persons with disabilities and indeed other applicants with significant barriers to employment with an alternative to traditional, competitive jobs. Customized Employment individualizes the relationship between job seeker and employer in ways that meet the needs of both. The intended audience are staff working in the area of supported employment using a competitive employment model.

Overview of training:

Monday: Discovery and Profile Development

Tuesday: Profile Development and Customized Plan for Employment

Wednesday: Customized Plan for Employment and Employer Needs Analysis

Thursday: Employer Needs Analysis and Job Development


Don't miss this rare opportunity to immerse yourself in an intensive 4 day training focused on best practises in the application of this strategy!

 

March 2-5, 2015

8:30am - 4:00 pm

Calgary, Alberta

 

Michael Calahan Bio & 4-Day Workshop Information 

 Registration Form for the 4-Day Customized Employment Session 

Registration Form for the 1-Day Introduction to Customized Employment Session   

 
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The ACDS Positive Behaviour Supports (PBS) Train-the-Trainer program provides its participants with the skills necessary to train staff in their home organizations in the areas related to the use of positive practices & restrictive procedures.  Newly revised, this interactive workshop will give "qualified persons" (as defined by CET) all the materials, hints and information needed to complete in-house training consistent with the Creating Excellence Together Standards.  The standards are available on our website at www.acds.ca            

 

This workshop will:

  • Define the roles of the PBS trainers, course planning and administration
  • Review participant manuals, purpose and expected learning outcomes for Positive Behaviour Supports Levels I & II training
  • Clarify concepts/content covered in Positive Behaviour Supports I & II
  • How to create a positive training environment, and participant related considerations
  • Provide you with the Facilitators and Learners Guides and other resources 
Workforce Update

Share your experiences with the Canada-Alberta Job Grant
The Canada-Alberta Job Grant is now accepting applications and ACDS is highly interested in the experiences service providers are having with the program.  $8.4 Million until March 31, 2015 has been earmarked for investment in skills training for Albertans, the grant covers 2/3 of the cost of training up to a maximum of $10,000 in government contributions.

Since the announcement of the job grant there has been much discussion on how organizations can benefit.  Bundling various training (first aid, food safety, med admin etc.) to meet minimum hours requirements has been frequently suggested.  ACDS is a third party trainer for the purposes of the Canada-Alberta job grant.  The Foundations in Community Disability Studies program has been altered to fit the minimum 25 hours of training and maximum 52 weeks required by the job grant.  Starting April 1, the Foundations program will be delivered in three sections, each representing 25 hours of training.

ACDS would like to know about the experiences service providers are having when applying for the job grant.  Is the application process user friendly?  Are responses received in a timely manner?  What training was funding requested for?  Were your applications accepted or rejected?  What reasons were given for denials of funding?  This information is valuable at this time.  Sharing experiences will allow more funding requests to succeed and contribute to the creation of a well-trained, professional workforce for the community disability services sector.
Accreditation Update

CET Surveyor and Team Leader Training - Save the Dates

Full CET Surveyor Training - March 17-19, 2015

Team Leader Training - March 20, 2015

 

ACDS is always interested in hearing from qualified representatives from across Alberta who wish to become surveyors for the Creating Excellence Together (CET) Accreditation Standards Site-Survey Process. Click on Becoming an ACDS Surveyor to read about this opportunity to enhance your career portfolio and increase your understanding of CET Accreditation. The ACDS Surveyor Application and ACDS Surveyor Reference Form can be submitted to accred@acds.ca.

 

Surveyors who would like to advance to Team Leaders can complete the  Team Leader Training Application and the Team Leader Reference Form, and return these to accred@acds.ca.

 

Please contact ACDS Accreditation (accred@acds.ca) for more information.

 

Excellence in Accreditation!
ACDS would like to congratulate both Lo-Se-Ca Foundation and Peak Vocational and Support Services on successfully achieving CET Level II Accreditation with the Complex Support Needs Review. Both organizations show their leadership within the sector by ensuring the best possible quality of life for the individuals they support. This achievement reveals that their focus continues to be on developing and implementing innovative practices and overcoming challenges within Community Disability Services to ensure positive outcomes for staff and individuals. Great work!!
 

Committee Opportunities

CET Standards Review Committee

A lot has happened over the past couple of years and it is time for ACDS to take a fresh look at the CET Standards based on the changes to the community disability sector. This committee is for you if you want to make an impact on the future of the sector and have expertise or information about topics such as:

  • risk management
  • employee safety
  • individual safety or
  • ensuring quality of life for individuals

Examples of the committee's goals include ensuring staff and individual safety while in the homes and ensuring that the standards speak to sound practices in regards to safety plans.

In addition, as ACDS continues to move forward with technology, accreditation wants to hear from you in terms of how to streamline our processes and improve our current systems. Meetings will start in April 2015. Contact ACDS at accred@acds.ca.

 

Accreditation Council  

ACDS is looking for representation from the Central Region to sit on the Accreditation Council. Your involvement on the council could make a difference in accreditation and impact Community Disability Services in a positive way. Interested persons can apply by submitting an Application to Participate on the Accreditation Council to ACDS, by faxing it to 403-291-9864, or by emailing it to accred@acds.ca.

The ACDS Umbrella is a publication of the
Alberta Council of Disability Services
Bay 19, 3220 - 5 Avenue NE
Calgary, Alberta, T2A 5N1
Phone: 403-250-9495 * Fax: 403-291-9864
2014 Alberta Council of Disability Services

Do you have something to say about 
The ACDS Umbrella or any of its content?
Send your comments or ideas to us at jamie@acds.ca

Permission to Reprint: Is there an article or news item in this or any other ACDS Umbrella newsletter that you would like to reprint in your own newsletter or other information circular? Please contact us at acds@acds.ca, attention Communications and Marketing, and include the title of the article, the issue date (e.g., February 2013), and a brief summary of how the material will be used.

Disclaimer:
The information provided in The ACDS Umbrella is for your information only and links are provided for your convenience. ACDS is not responsible for the content, change in content, accuracy, relevancy, copyright compliance, or legality of the material on external websites.